Using Tools To Deal With Arthritis
If you suffer pain from arthritis in your weight- bearing joints, there are some tools that you can use to help deal with the pain better. People with milder cases of arthritis may not need the help of these devices, but they can make a world of difference in patients with severe cases of arthritis.
A cane is a great tool for people with arthritis of the knees or ankles. The cane acts a bit as an extra leg to take the pressure and weight off of weaker, more inflamed joints. A great thing about using a cane is that you can control how much you rely on it and what joints to relieve pressure from.
A walker or rolling walker provides support like a cane, but it is for people who need a little more help. Instead of relieving pressure from just one side of the body, a walker can take quite a bit of weight from the whole body as you move along. For people who have difficulty lifting a walker, a rolling walker is another great options.
For the most severe cases of arthritis, wheelchairs are a great option. Wheelchairs will relieve the pressure from all your lower joints, and depending on the controls, can also relieve pain in the hands. People who just have trouble going up stairs should consider getting a staircase wheelchair if they live in multiple storied homes.
For people that use wheelchairs, having a wheelchair ramp installed in the home is important. Although, you can have a helper lift you from your chair to bring you upstairs, that might cause unneeded pain. A wheelchair ramp in front of your home can make your daily routine all the much easier.
Supports for your affected joints, such as wrist, knee and elbow supports, are available for people with mild to moderate arthritis. These supports add some much needed strength the the affected areas and can make day to day chores nearly pain-free.
Whether or not you use a walking support, a handicap permit on your rear view mirror makes running errands a little less painful. When you have a parking permit, you will be able to park closer to the grocery store, post office or restaurant. The shorter walk will cause less wear on your joints. Many public places also provide motor operated carts to help you get around, also.
Shower chairs are not only a convenient tool for people with arthritis, they are also a safety tool. When you have arthritis in your lower body, you may be able to handle the pain of standing and bending to shower, but accidents can always happen, especially if you have weak, inflamed joints. Opt for a shower bench or chair to take showers more comfortably and safely.
These are a handful of tools that people suffering from arthritis can use to relieve pressure from joints. Depending on the severity of you arthritis, you may need help from a variety of these devices to get around comfortably. Make sure to consult your doctor and find out what kind of help you can get to help relieve your arthritis pain.
